Autologous Myoblasts Transplantation Improves Heart Function after Myocardiac Infarction.

OBJECTIVE:To determine whether autologous skeletal myoblasts implantation improves the cardiac function after myocardial infarction and the possible mechanism.METHODS:Myocardial infarction was induced by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery in rabbits. At 2 weeks, 1.34 10(7) to 1.75 10(7) autologous skeletal myoblasts were infused into the lesion via direct intramuscular injection. In the control group, the postinfarction hearts were infused with medium alone. Buxco invasive cardiac function testing and histopathological examination were utilized to evaluate the functional and structural changes in the myocardium 4 weeks later.RESULTS:Both maximum rising rate of the left intraventricular pressure [+dp/dtmax,(1 217.77±89.91)mmHg/s vs. (897.83±70.04) mmHg/s] and maximum falling rate of the left intraventricular pressure [-dp/dtmax,(-1 174.58±91.5)mmHg/s vs. (-753.67±69.66)mmHg/s] were improved in the myoblast transplanted group compared with medium infusion group. The positive desmin immunostaining skeletal myofibers in the myocardium were found throughout the infracted areas and the border zone.CONCLUSION:Autologous skeletal myoblasts can establish muscle tissue when transplanted into postinfarction hearts, and this mucle can treat myocardiac infarction effectively.